Chapter 11

The Samurai Village

Katherine was lost. Mentally, physically, emotionally; anyway you could imagine. She couldn't help but think back to the horrid battle she witnessed couple of hours ago. It was still shockingly real to her; she could still see the blood in front of her. Poor Gant being struck by a long spear and then ruthlessly stabbed to death with a sword, was still on her mind. She was riding horseback, and all she wanted to do was put her head over the horse's neck and close her eyes. She was extremely tired, and couldn't really comprehend anything. Japanese language was a slur to her now, although if someone tried to talk to her in English it would probably be the same.

They were in line behind Katsumoto, the samurai leader. Kitty had heard many of the samurai address him, and could soon say it herself. Although, she didn't let the samurai know of that fact...Actually, they didn't know much of her at all. Why was she in the battle? Who was she? Katherine was determined to keep her knowledge of Japanese language as a secret. She decided that it would be of advantage for her. She would easily find out what the enemies were up to...and they would never know that she understood them.

General Hasegawa and Katsumoto were leading them, as the rest of the army followed behind. They were trekking through a beautiful mountain forest, with sun shinning and creating elaborate patterns of shadows on the forest floors. It was like making images out of passing clouds, and Katherine found herself focusing on those images. The trees were blanketing the side of the mountain as soft pastel colors dotted the deep evergreen of the trees. The beautiful and natural Japan; it was so open and wide. The landscapes were wonderful.

It was quiet, and Katherine was still thinking about her father. With no doubt, Doctor Takahashi had given the letter to her father...and he probably thought that his sweet daughter was dead. Tears started to fill her light eyes once more. Oh, how she despised these samurai warriors...savages! She turned her head to look back at Algren, whose hands were tightly bound behind him with a leather rope, unlike Katherine...who had her hands tied in front of her. Algren was almost unconscious on his horse. His head rested at the horse's neck and his eyes were barley open. He was shortly behind them, his horse was tied to one of the elder samurai's horses. Katherine was worried about her friend. She really hoped that he would be alright and get better. They needed devise a plan and get away from these monsters as soon as possible. She was actually terrified of being separated from Algren. She was afraid of her future.

She clutched the chestnut steed's mane in her hands, as if it would prevent her from falling. She was riding bareback...and quite frankly felt very uncomfortable. Katherine was in astride position in order to stay up on the horse. She wasn't used to it...not with a dress on. She always rode sidesaddle.

They finally stopped in a small clearing, similar to the one where the battle had taken place. The handful of samurai dismounted from their horses; leaving Katherine confused as to what was going on. The young, samurai with a golden armor followed after them as well. Katherine gazed longingly at the ground. She did not want to be on this horse, she didn't want to be riding it bareback, and she certainly didn't want to be anywhere near these people. But it wasn't her decision to make now; her life was already pretty badly messed up.

General Hasegawa and Katsumoto made their way to the center of the clearing, as the rest of the samurai made a semi-circle around them. Neither Nathan or Katherine were invited to go with them. It looked as if there would be a performance going on, although it was unknown to Katherine that it was an ancient tradition that was a huge part of the samurai bushido and system. Hasegawa kneeled onto his knees, and Ujio the black samurai poured a liquid onto Katsumoto's exposed sword. The General unbuttoned his shirt, and withdrew his small but lethal looking knife. Seconds later, he plunged the knife into his exposed stomach, making a slicing motion for a moment and then not another sound. Katherine gasped and could see him straining from what had to be enormous pain; but he still didn't even let out a wisp of air. Soon afterwards, Katsumoto raised his katana, cried out and swiftly decapitated Hasegawa.

Katherine shut her eyes tightly, and looked away quickly. She was tired of seeing so many lives ended, and in such a disgusting way. Algren may be able to handle this for however long they would be trapped here in this mess, but Katherine was beginning to question how long she'd be able to last. To her, this was just another barbaric act that kept pushing the urgency of her escape to soar. She didn't understand why her father found these people so fascinating and intriguing...they were simply repulsive!

After that, Katsumoto and his warriors mounted their horses again and continued the journey. The golden armored samurai pushed himself up on his steed and with a little nudge moved the chestnut horse that Katherine was riding. The ride was all together long, tiring and exhausting for both Kitty and Nathan.

The army was slowly nearing a certain village. Katherine noticed how different her surroundings were from what she had seen when she first arrived in Japan. After the turmoil of Tokyo, this place seemed like a bucolic paradise. The gorgeous mountain scenery enveloped the village. The snow-capped mountains soared in the distance, and below a valley of rice fields. Traditional wooden Japanese architecture, and lots and lots of farming. Katherine noticed the sense of harmony that was so markedly absent from the big cities she often visited.

Katsumoto led his samurai in the village, as he passed by, every person that lived there lowered his or her forehead to the ground to show respect. Most of the villagers stared curiously at Katherine and Algren. They had never seen Westerners before, let alone a woman with the specific attire. They gazed at them with suspicion and semi interest.

They finally arrived, and Katsumoto dismounted in a large square, the rest of his men followed the suit. The elderly looking samurai, whose horse had been tied to Algren's, climbed down and helped Algren painfully slide from his horse. Two other samurai also grabbed him and pushed him forcefully into a kneeling position and waited for their leader.

The golden armored samurai, whose name happened to be Nobutada also climbed down from his horse. However, to Katherine's surprise, he didn't help her down instead, he casually walked up to Katsumoto and stood next to him, leaving Katherine to wonder what would happen to her.

After few minutes of silence the leader of the warriors stood in front of Algren and asked him in English. "What is your name?" His English was halting and slow.

Algren did not give him an answer. He just knelt there and glared up at Katsumoto...he didn't even move. He was utterly exhausted and his wounds were looking very bad. Because he didn't respond to the respected leader of the samurai, Ujio angrily stepped forward, exclaiming in Japanese. "Insolent swine! Answer!" he spat at Algren, who still didn't flinch. He was staring up at Ujio in complete silence. Katherine started to worry...what if this horrifying black samurai got mad and decided to kill him? She had noticed how short tampered and fiery he was.

Her instincts were correct, this behavior of Algren infuriated Ujio, who started pacing back and forth like a caged panther. Algren did not move, he continued watching him evenly. Suddenly, Ujio drew out his long sword; it slashed through the air, the blade singing and stopped an inch away from Algren's face. Katherine's eyes widened in shock, unconsciously she clutched the horse's mane tightly in her hands. The black samurai brought the cutting edge into contact with Algren's neck. A small traces of blood started to run although, Kitty wasn't sure if she saw it right. She swallowed hard in nervousness, and her stomach dropped with worry. Still Algren did not respond. He was watching them stoically, unmoved with everything that was happening.

"Leave him be." Katsumoto said after a while, and Ujio moved his sword from Algren's neck slowly. He continued glaring at him as he sheathed his sword and marched right over where Katherine was on horseback. He quickly went up to her, grabbed her by the waist and swiftly pulled her down from the horse. He did it so roughly and angrily, that Katherine thought that he'd toss her over like some kind of a useless baggage.

"Your name?!" He barked at her in fury. Katherine jumped when she heard his thundering voice. However, she pretended that she didn't understand Japanese. And she too decided to keep silent. Not giving him any kind of answer.

"Leave them for now, Ujio." Katsumoto told him calmly. Ujio nodded and dragged Katherine closer to where his leader was, right beside kneeling Algren.

After a while Katsumoto spoke up in English again, facing both of his new captives. "This is my son's village," he referred to the young samurai in the golden armor. "We are deep in the mountains and the winter is coming. You cannot escape." With that, he turned and walked away. The yellow samurai, who apparently was Katsumoto's son added in English with a thick accent. "Jolly good." He looked proud of his only English. After that, he followed his father.

Katherine glanced at Algren who suddenly collapsed on the ground. She shrieked in fright, as the two samurai picked him up and took him to the nearby house where Katsumoto had gone off to. She hoped that they would treat Nathan's wounds. Katherine on the other hand, was left with Ujio who terrified her in every way possible. He was by far the worst samurai she had encountered. She looked up at him only to meet his eyes, that were flushed with anger. Unexpectedly, he grabbed her by her shoulder and led her towards the same house were Algren was taken. As she was still walking, her head started to spin and all of the stress, tiredness and exhaustion hit her like a brick. Katherine found herself stumbling, and in no time lost her balance and passed out. Ujio caught her in time and carried her inside.

He shook his head! He did not sign up for this!

Wooohoo! Another chapter today!

Anyway, nothing has been decided about the love interests and such. I previously asked a question...I'm still not sure what will happen. Let's see how the story progresses. In the meantime, don't shy away from leaving reviews, sharing your thoughts, and suggesting ideas.